Chatel Ski Resort Guide

Slope Stats

2201m

1000m

1201m

Acres of ski:-

Pistes:73

Snowmaking:40%

Halfpipes:-

Terrain Parks:1

X-Country:49 km

beginner32%

intermediate53%

advanced15%

Chatel, in France (in the Haute Savoie region and part of the Portes du Soleil ski area) is a large resort with 61 lifts and 83km of piste that offers skiers an incredible 1000 metres (3280 feet) of vertical descent. Chatel has 73 pistes with a total length of 83km kilometers. Chatel is great for beginner skiers and snowboarders but there is some superb terrain for both expert and intermediates. Chatel has easy links to Avoriaz and the Swiss resorts Torgon and Morgins plus the whole of the Portes du Soleil. There are 49 kilometers (31 miles) of cross country ski trails at Chatel. For snowboarders, there is a terrain park and boarder cross track. The nearest airport is at Geneva and the nearest train station to Chatel is at Monthey.

Chatel Location Maps

Visitor Reviews of Chatel

David from United Kingdom writes:

I feel a bit sorry for other reviewers who recently wrote about Chatel. Holidaying over New Year 2014/15 was challenging to say the least. However, nine tenths of what they experienced (I’ll come back to the last 10th later) was down to the weather, specifically the lack of snow, which affected the whole region. To be honest, without the modest snowfall the week after Christmas the result would have been absolute carnage; resort operators were more than a little worried.
Chatel, because of its north facing slopes and significant investment in snow making, actually had some albeit not as much as normal. Many nearby resorts were basically unskiable with resultant overcrowding as skiers came in from elsewhere. On the cost front, a further attraction of Chatel, is the relatively low prices with prices for food, drink, accommodation and lift passes substantially less than most stations with similar skiing. Anyone who doesn’t see this has clearly never skied in Verbier or Trois Vallees.

Comments that the resort lacks investment are simply wrong, but where I do agree with others is that there is an issue with the behaviour of some (by no means all) lift staff. Personally, I find that a simple “bonjour” actually makes a difference but it is something that all European ski resorts should look to North America for best practice.
Chatel is a great resort with fabulous skiing and friendly natives. Don’t let others put you off.